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🛰️ SATELLITE · HISTORICAL RECORD

QB50-GB03

Re-entered 19 Nov 2023

QB50-GB03 (NORAD 42765, COSPAR 2017-036A) was a UK satellite that re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 19 Nov 2023, launched on 23 Jun 2017 on the PSLV Rideshare 10 mission. It was operated by UCL as part of the UCL programme. The spacecraft was built by UCL on the Cubesat 2U bus, with a mass of 2 kg. Like most satellites in low orbits, it was gradually slowed by atmospheric drag until re-entry. Historical record from Orbital Radar's satellite archive, cross-referenced with the live satellite catalogue.

2017
launched
2023
re-entered
6
years on orbit
2
kg mass

Lifecycle

Launched23 Jun 2017 · on the PSLV Rideshare 10 mission
Operational1 Oct 2017 · entered service
Retired1 Nov 2023 · end of operational service
Re-entered19 Nov 2023 · atmospheric re-entry — object destroyed

Specifications

NORAD ID42765
COSPAR2017-036A
TypeSatellite
OperatorUCL
Country / StateUK
ManufacturerUCL
BusCubesat 2U
Mass2 kg
ProgrammeUCL
CategorySCI
OrbitLEO (LLEO/S)
Altitude496 × 513 km
Inclination97.5°

Frequently asked questions

What happened to QB50-GB03?

QB50-GB03 re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 19 Nov 2023, ending a mission that began with its launch in 2017. Objects in low orbits are gradually slowed by atmospheric drag until they fall back and burn up on re-entry.

When did QB50-GB03 re-enter the atmosphere?

QB50-GB03 re-entered on 19 Nov 2023, according to Orbital Radar's historical catalogue records.

How long was QB50-GB03 operational?

QB50-GB03 was operational for roughly 6 years, from 1 Oct 2017 to 1 Nov 2023.

Who operated and built QB50-GB03?

QB50-GB03 was operated by UCL and built by UCL (UK).

Launched together

skCUBERe-entered 2023Venta-1Re-entered 2024ROBUSTA 1BRe-entered 2023CICERO-6Re-entered 2024D-SATNORAD 42794TYVAK-53BRe-entered 2023NIUSATRe-entered 2024
Historical record from the Orbital Radar satellite archive. Sources & methodology: data sources. Accessed 2026-09-06.